A collaborative consortium featuring Glasgow-based space engineering company Craft Prospect, the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (Fraunhofer CAP), and Vector Photonics has embarked on a pioneering project to evaluate next-generation laser technology for high-performance optical communications in space.
The initiative, officially designated as the PERSEUS project—standing for PCSEL Environmental and Radiation Sensitivity: Evaluation for Use in Space—will investigate whether a highly promising, disruptive class of lasers known as Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers (PCSELs) can successfully withstand the harsh operating environment of space. If proven viable, the technology could unlock entirely new capabilities for high-speed, secure space-to-space and space-to-ground communications networks.
Funding for the PERSEUS initiative is being provided through the Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) programme. This critical research and development framework is delivered by Innovate UK and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The broader ACT R&D Programme was formally announced by Minister Ian Murray during his keynote address at the Connected Britain conference.
By bridging the divide between individual component manufacturing and complete spacecraft system architecture, PERSEUS aims to accelerate the transition of PCSEL technology from an emerging laboratory innovation into a robust, commercially viable, and differentiated on-orbit capability for the rapidly expanding global space market.
Exploring a New Approach to Optical Communications
As global demand for data transmission grows exponentially, traditional radio frequency (RF) systems and conventional optical communications setups are increasingly facing technical boundaries in terms of bandwidth, range, efficiency, and security. PCSEL technology offers a compelling potential solution to these limitations, paving the way for the development of longer-range, significantly higher-capacity, and more secure free-space optical links.
These advanced links could soon facilitate high-speed data transfer not only between satellites and ground stations across the globe, but also across complex constellations and potentially even deeper-space exploration assets. However, introducing a new laser architecture into orbit requires rigorous verification. The PERSEUS project is designed to answer critical questions about how these devices perform under real-world spaceflight conditions, evaluating their compatibility with representative spacecraft hardware and mapping out the precise engineering steps required to deliver a commercial solution.
From Device Testing to Spacecraft Integration
To determine whether PCSELs are truly space-worthy, the PERSEUS programme will subject the devices to a comprehensive battery of demanding test campaigns traditionally required for space-qualified hardware. Alongside rigorous environmental testing, the project team will conduct long-range, high-bandwidth free-space demonstrations to showcase the early operational performance of the technology.
Under the testing framework, individual PCSEL devices will undergo extensive characterization and stress testing. This will include specialized radiation exposure campaigns, vibration testing to simulate the intense mechanical forces experienced during rocket launch, and thermal-vacuum chamber testing to replicate the extreme temperature fluctuations of the space environment. These evaluations will build a detailed and reliable engineering baseline regarding how the technology fares during launch and long-term orbital deployment.
Beyond component-level testing, the project will demonstrate early integration success with other flight-representative hardware. The consortium will work on end-to-end data transmission setups and develop forward-looking mission concepts that harness the unique optical and beam-forming capabilities of PCSELs. The empirical findings gathered throughout the initiative will directly inform future communications system design concepts and help define the engineering roadmap necessary to progress PCSEL technology toward a fully realized, differentiated space communications solution.
Bringing Together Photonics and Space Engineering Expertise
The PERSEUS project draws upon deep technical expertise across multiple specialized organizations in the United Kingdom, combining world-class photonics research with advanced satellite engineering and mission development capabilities.
At Craft Prospect, the project is being spearheaded by Head of Engineering Kevin Quillien, who is serving as Project Lead. He is supported by a strong technical team featuring Chief Engineer Paul Yarr, alongside Systems Engineers Lauryn Atkinson and Kairavi Pandit.
The consortium also benefits from specialized subcontracts. At the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Dr. Gerald Bonner is leading the subcontract work, bringing extensive knowledge in applied laser systems and optical technologies. Meanwhile, at Vector Photonics, Dr. Richard Taylor is serving as subcontract lead, working alongside Project Manager Dr. Graham Goldberg to guide the commercialization and development of the proprietary laser technology.
The new venture builds directly upon Craft Prospect’s growing portfolio and proven track record in quantum-optical communications. This includes the company’s ongoing work on the OPS-SAT VOLT mission, where engineers are actively developing, deploying, and testing space-to-ground free-space quantum and optical communication technologies. These initiatives form a central pillar of Craft Prospect’s broader corporate mission to deliver advanced "Smart Secure Space" capabilities.
Reflecting on the launch of the project, Kevin Quillien, Project Lead and Head of Engineering at Craft Prospect, emphasized the collaborative nature and strategic importance of the work.
"PERSEUS is an exciting opportunity to take a promising new photonics technology and understand the potential it has to offer the space industry," Quillien stated. "By carrying out all the necessary early-stage work to test and characterise PCSELs for space, we will build a strong understanding of the potential that the technology offers in building the next generation of communication solutions. We’re looking forward to working with Fraunhofer CAP and Vector Photonics to explore where this roadmap will take us."
With the project now underway, the consortium aims to lay a solid technical foundation that could redefine how data is transmitted across orbital networks, ensuring future space communications are faster, more secure, and capable of meeting the heavy demands of the digital age.
